Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Thanksgiving week! Finally a short work week, and a short school week, and a week where I know at least one meal ahead of time. Allison and I decided early in the week that she would take the kids to her parents' house, since her sister would be in the States from England for the holiday. My feeling was that since Allison will not put up with her father being a jerk to the kids, it would work out fine. I went down to Groton for dinner, but only stayed a little while after that, because I wanted to see Carrie and Kurt, too, in Lebanon.

At Dad's, the Kindle Fire was the hit of the day. People oooo'ed and aaaaah'ed over it, remarking how cool it was, especially at the price! Ben and Tyler, Joanne's grandkids brought their 360 over, so rather than watch football, I got to relive the joy that is Beavis and Butthead. Those 20 minutes felt like hours of listening to morons chuckle - I was never really a big fan of that show, and it has not aged well. The food was good, though, and it was nice to see Dad, but I left the house too late to go to Carrie's ahead of time, so I went afterwards.

I got there just before Kevin and Lucy left, which is too bad, cause I like them. Chase and Trent were already mostly ready for bed, too. Chase still acts like I have spikes growing out of my face, but Trent is warmed up to me by now. They were just getting the Rock Band going on the Wii - kind of a specialty of mine. I had to calibrate the system, it was making it impossible to play well, and I missed my huge song collection on the 360 so much that I bought a 20 dollar points card and hooked the Goinses up with some new tunes. Seeing Carrie's girls and boys made me miss my kids both a little more and a little less. I will just call that a net gain.

I got to work on Friday - sometimes being a contractor SUCKS, and the kids came back on Saturday to a mostly cleaned house and a mostly rested father. We then went to play D&D at the local game store, and they went over to the Sweeny house afterwards for pizza and board games.

"Its like the only picture I took this week, showing Archer how much his hair goes out in the tub. I don't know why he looked so horrified, bu we were all laughing about it." -Rob

Carrie

On Friday Carrie wrote: Since we're going north to no mans land tomorrow, I thought I'd update early. This week I went and saw Kayla with her friends all pilgrimed up. Some of these parents really outdid themselves with costumes!!!! Thanksgiving was nice!!! I cooked for us 6 plus Kurt. Kurt took family pictures for us. We played Twister, I almost puked on Kurt!!!! Then Rob stopped over for some Rockband!!! Wish you were here for that Kim. We all should be banned forever from a microphone :-) Sean is playing a reunion show with his old punk band tonight. Then Vermont for a thanksgiving meal with Mom. Hopefully some cookies and playing in the snow. My goals for next week.....to get my hair done, girls hair done and cookies!!! Always cookies this time of the year :-)

Kurt

Thanksgiving was a lot of fun this year. Being with just carries family was really nice for me. I made bracelets with Hailey and Kayla and played Angry Birds with Trent. We played rock band together but had the most fun with a full on game of TWISTER. What a classic. I don't even REMEMBER playing when I was young although I'm sure I did.

Last night I was given a ticket to see SLEEP NO MORE in NYC. It is based on Shakespeare's stories. The play is interactive and takes place in a five floor building. The audience all wear white masks and are not aloud to speak. You are encouraged to be curious and explore all five floors how ever u see fit. Unmasked actors make their way through the vignettes and if u want to see AMAZING performances then u follow. I spent the full three hours exploring the different places. It is a combination of performance art, dance, choose your own adventure, disguise, voyeurism, and reading emotions in people just by watching their face and reactions. It was to this date the most special thing that I have experienced.

I plan to have Carmax give me an estimate on my car this week. I would really like to save more money

Kim

I wrote my post on Sunday and can not find where it was saved. Great. As Jake would say, I'm technologically impaired. He's fifteen and also says I'm "ancient". Just wait, Jake. You'll get yours someday.
Last week Mertz and Bertha came for a visit and to celebrate Thanksgiving. We had a fun time together and great weather. On Thanksgiving we went bowling in the morning (a family tradition) and after a low-key, delicious dinner, Jake and I hit some pre-Black Friday sales. We left just after 10pm and arrived home around 3am. It was insane out there but Jake calculated our savings for me at around 43 percent so I can't complain. Plus he is great company. In addition to teasing me, he is just plain funny and smart. I'd give up a little sleep anytime to spend some time with Jake.
I got my hair done on Friday. It's a bit too dark.
On Saturday, Rachel and I took Grandma Bertha with us to see the Nutcracker. Another tradition for Rachel and me.

On Sunday, I taught Relief Society for the last time. I got released and called to be the Relief Society Publicity Specialist. Sounds like a made-up job, right? Whatever. I'm sure I'll be awesome. I do have a degree in advertising....
Next week: hold the freaking garage sale. Get everything ready for it. Promote the RS Christmas party. Make neighbor gifts and teacher gifts. Wrap. Go to the temple with Dave. Get a pedicure. Make Ethiopian Chicken.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Typing this on a kindle fire, cause this week was apparently consumer week. I had preordered this a while ago, like when they were first announced, thinking it would be a good birthday present for me. I have to admit, it is pretty sweet. Not a lot of kindle.books on it yet, but I really don't get all that much reading anyway.I have a picture of it sent via text, note that most of the apps are games... It is just my nature. Not too much going on kid world, McGuire missed his afterschool program one day so that he could be home for Archer. We opened a savings account for Archer and got him a dozen pair of socks, clearly the high point.lint of his week. Sunday I got the latest Zelda game, see the picture? It is awesome so far. I am tired, fhouh-another picture to prove it- typing on A touch pad is sort of annoying.
Till next week

Kurt

I finished the painting!!! I used silver red and gold. Red and gold are pretty much my last choices. Red and yellow are my least favorite colors. But....as I was out of blue paint it had to do. I really like the painting. It is very angry. It represent the end of my Providence chapter. The paper glued to it are my business cards from the salon that I started working at. And red and yellow are Jons favorite colors. While painting the large canvas I also painted a smaller one with the same concept. I have been doing a "companion piece" each time I do a large one. I really get a lot of satisfaction from that and it also creates more of a cohesive collect of work.
I achieved NO other goals but last night did another roll of film LOMO-style. http://www.lomography.com/homes/kurtuccello The pics will be up next week. (If they come out)
I was in NYC Monday and Tuesday. Just to take a break. My birthday was relaxing. I worked as an award statue then finished the glam gas mask.
Friday night was the night I was looking forward to. Although nothing turned out the way it was suppose to...i.e. No one was able to get tickets and no one was out at a bar after the show. It was a GREAT show. They modernized the costumes and added a few unique jokes mixed in with the classic show. It was a welcomed change.

Carrie

"Our closing at the Green Store"

So, we are home owners!!!!! Friday night we signed all the papers. Surreal!! Then I chaperoned movie night for 5th and 6th graders. Sean and I met up with old friends to celebrate a 30th birthday and I went to a really good party for a sweet three year old and saw lots of old friends with lots of kids. It made me think of how much I lost contact with people over the years. I didn't get to meet any of my goals due to a 6 day migraine!!!!!! Now a sore throat, but the goals are in place for this week now!! I'm not giving up.

Sean went a got an elecrtric fireplace and new tv for the family room!!!! We've been wanting to do that for a while. So pretty and warm!!! I'm planning on doing some little changes in there to make it prettier, more library-like. Exciting!!! Goals, cookies, walking, cleaning, christmas decorations.......we're doing Thanksgiving just us this year. Then Sean is playing with his old band!!! Then we'll head to Vermont to finish our weekend. Continue to be thankful for everything I have. I'm so lucky!!!!! Oh and get into the school a lot for Kayla's pilgrim week!! I loved that in third grade.

Kim

I was wowed by the first grade program last week and completely smitten with my own first grader. They seem so much bigger and smarter than I remember being at that age.

The other highlight of my week was my hot date with Dave to the shooting range. I bought groupons for a class, gun rental, 100 rounds of ammo and an hour of shooting. Having never shot a real gun, I was apprehensive about it but as it turns out I'm a natural-born killer. A former marine who was on the range with me nicknamed me Annie Oakley. I shot a browning long-barrel .22. Dave is of course awesome(he kind of rocks at everything) but I held my own. In our class of 8, I was in the top half of shooters. So much fun! I'm gearing up for a 9mm.

The coming week includes celebrating Thanksgiving with Mertz and Bertha. Shopping some sales with Jake on Black Friday. Preparing and giving a lesson at church. Shopping and wrapping for our "secret Santa" kids. Starting the book for book club-Little Women.

Monday, November 14, 2011

This week....We should become homeowners!! Closing later this week. Sean and I got the house "Christmas ready" cleaning out the old to make room for the new :-) feels good to purge!!!! We got a babysitter and went to Boston House of Blues Saturday to see Manchester Orchestra play. They were really good. Over the week we had lots of kids over for playtime, never a quiet dwelling!!!! Got in some really good walks and am still trying to teach Trent how to play fair in Chutes and Ladders! We ended our weekend by heading to the Dinosaur Place and then Build a Bear. Much needed quality family time :-) Love having a long weekend with the kids!!! I also found a 1969 VW bus for sale and am seriously considering getting it if the frame is sound!!!! So cool!!

This week I hope to.........walk three miles 3 times. Catch up on laundry after the washer was down for almost two weeks!!!! Get more Christmas shopping done, pick out the new doors and windows for the house and bake Christmas cookies.

Kurt

It has been a busy week for THIS little performance artist. Sunday I performed as ALPHA (with OMEGA) at the Boston Convention Center where BILL CLINTON was speaking. Its one of my favorite characters because we are encouraged to "interact" with EVERYTHING. We can mess around with people, touch everything around...when we perform those characters its like we have JUST come to earth. you can check them out on WEMAKEPRETEND.COM
The next day i was back up in Boston to perform at the ICA. Its a beautiful space to show contemporary art. I was an award statue at an event where DENNIS LEHANE (writer of Mystic River and many other things) spoke.
Friday I was the GOD of WINE at a wedding in Connecticut.

I did NOT do my goal of writing some more songs. but thats ok I started, and am more than half way done with one of my other goals....creating a gem stone gas mask!!!!!

This week i would LOVE to start painting the new canvas that i bought at the salvation army, its the biggest canvas that i have ever owned. I am excited to throw some TEXTURE on that bad boy.
I also NEED to make an appointment for new contacts, i am pushing at least 3 years on this last pair (of two week disposables! woops)
Also, my computer NEEDS more space and speed so i need to bring it to apple....in my research APPLE doesnt make memory for my aged computer, so i need to get the specifics from the people at the GENIUS BAR

Rob

Sadly, I have no photos for the week. This could have been an excellent week - my birthday on Tuesday, the final battle for Neverwinter on Wednesday's Encounters sessions, 4 day weekend for the kids and a D&D game for me and both boys on Saturday. Instead, it was a week of concern, conflict and compassion. Sunday was spent scrambling for babysitting for Archer, since his mom was unable to get to the house when she said she would. I was able to drop him off at a friend's house, and picked him up later that night. Allison wasn't around for the Amazing Race, so we saved it for later in the week. When Monday rolled around, I left my cell phone charger at home, and my battery died. Imagine my surprise when I plugged it in, and had half a dozen voice mails and texts! Turns out Allison had a trip to the hospital, and in the end it wouldn't be until Friday that she would be able to go home. Her parents came down to see her, but she refused visitors; it was nice for them to see the boys anyway. I am largely not talking to her father anymore, because he thinks it not wildly inappropriate to threaten a teenager when you get lost. They left in a huff on Thursday, but I got my fridge cleaned while they were here, so that is something. Anyway, rather than get a lot of work done this week, I got to go in late Tuesday, oversleep Thursday and spend most of Friday driving around MA to bring Allison home (5 hours for the patient escort, 2 for the normal commute). All in all, a good week to have nothing much going on.

McGuire is the Green Lantern.
Archer is General Greivous, but with only the mask, and a knight's armor. Think of it like Ceremonial Outfitting for the General - like Marine Blues.
The young lady in Orange is Ellie, dressed as Clyde (or whichever of the ghosts from Pacman is Orange). The other young lady is Catherine, as a princess. The other boy is Jim, he is dressed as the Companion cube from Portal.

Kim

Let's see. I attended one PTO meeting and was kicked off the Air Force Base when trying to attend the second one since my license expired on my birthday. The high school is actually ON base and it's terribly inconvenient for just this reason. The armed guard actually wished me a happy birthday and told my to drive directly to the DMV. I did. I had NO idea my license had expired.

I tackled the ironing pile but only to store a quarter of it in spring/summer stuff, deliver another quarter to the cleaners and ironed like five things. Still on my to do list, but maybe not this week.

Exercised five times if you count a lame yoga routine and a slow walk for two of the days. I've got to get more motivated!

Attended Rachel's first piano recital(Popcorn Popping) and Ben's sixth(?)(The Entertainer). They both did excellent jobs. It's fun to see their progress. Closed out the soccer season with Ben's last game ending in a tie:1-1. He played full-time goalie and saved their butts several times. Way to go!

Began Christmas shopping/planning. Made smoothies every weekday. Wouldn't you know, Rachel liked the "monster smoothie" the best? The boys did not. Funny girl. It's the best way to get more fruits and vegetables into Ben. Plus, just some morning food.

This week I need to complete the preparations for the garage sale. We are clearing out toys and clothes mostly in hopes of raising enough money to buy someone a new smile from the organization Smile Train. My kids' hearts are very touched by their ads. We've had to wait until soccer ended to find a Saturday to do it. We've been stockpiling things for months now and I'm anxious to move them on and do something nice as we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas.

A first grade program and another PTO meeting this week. Also, Dave and I are taking a gun class this week. Should be a fun date learning to shoot!

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

We are terrible at staying in touch. We are going to try to do better by documenting one week at a time.

KIM

Mrs. Mia Wallace and Vincent Vega from Pulp Fiction

Last week, I successfully finished up the Halloween celebrations and turned 41. Halloween seems to get more drawn out every year. I suppose when my kids are all gone and it is quiet and boring around here I'll look back with a melancholy regret that we don't do more to recognize Halloween. For now, I'm glad it's over. School parties, church party, neighborhood parties, costume rentals, sewed costume details (that's right, by me), carved pumpkins, assembled gingerbread haunted house and collected so much candy. Success. The kids also got well-child checkups (on their snow day) and flu shots.

This week I plan to:
1. Attend two PTO meetings, one at the high school and one at the elementary school
2. Get the oil changed in Dave's car for him
3. Schedule doctor and dentist appointments for myself
4. Tackle my ironing pile
5. File
6. Start my Christmas shopping
7. Make smoothies every morning for Ben and Rachel. Ben really needs to be eating/drinking something before school.
8. Exercise five times this week.
9. Make a plan for the Physical Fitness Merit Badge for Jake and Ben (and maybe myself)

ROB

It would be impossible to try to sum up the whole year, so I will only be looking at the past week, starting with Saturday, October 29th. Snow in October in New England is nothing particularly new or odd, but an October Nor'Easter, with most of the leaves still on the trees? That is a little less common. We had batteries, and flashlights, so the boys and I were happy to sit at home and watch the snow fall like crazy - after we ran a few errands. Archer was playing a new game he bought himself - Sonic Unleashed, we had some frozen pizza for dinner, and were sitting downstairs when the power went out t 7:30. No worries - I had my cell phone, used it as a light to get upstairs to light some candles. It was not a terrible way to end a night. McGuire read for about 3 hours in candle light, Archer and I hung out, and eventually went to bed early. When we woke up Sunday, the house was fairly cold - stupid gas furnace, with battery-powered thermostats, and it still wants some external power to actually turn on the furnace!!! We had plans to meet up with our D&D group, even though only McGuire was playing that day. Archer and I brought a DS and my netbook to use the store's power! We went to dinner at Fridays so that I could see the Patriots game against the Steelers (bad idea), and I brought them over to their mom's apartment since she had power and they didn't have school on Monday with the power out in most of the town.

I went home to sleep in a cold house, since I was still going to work in the morning. I was pretty happy to wake up with power, but my alarms were obviously not set, so I got to work later, anyway. Three of the kids that show up to D&D were coming over for Trick or Treating - I should have some cell-phone photos to insert here later. The kids had Tuesday off, as well, so I am already thinking that they will be losing a vacation with the first winter snowstorm.

Wednesday was supposed to be the day Allison and I got our divorce approved by a judge, but thanks to some misinformation, I took the day off from work. and we got "properly attired" for court for no good reason. Instead, we both went to our residences - I was lucky enough to see my neighbors leaving their house, so I dropped 100 bucks to get the kids they hired to clean their lawn to take the biggest debris from my yard, too. I then used the rest of the day to have my car looked at so that I could get it to pass emissions. Turns out that will cost about 1500 dollars, so I have some hard decisions to make there, the car has 200,000 miles on it, but it is a Camry, so getting a lot more miles out of it is not out of the question. Still, not a great way to take a day off from work. We did get penciled in to get judge time on November 10th, though. The rest of the week was fairly copacetic - we had some surprises with Allison on Saturday, which led to to juggle some plans on Sunday, but all in all, the weekend went well.

KURT

I saw the band CSS in boston, Brazilian Dance ROCK they are SO energetic and fantastic. I wore an army shirt that i made.
I dressed as Kurt Cobain for work on saturday, which i may say came out Fantastic. I then worked as a statue at some rich peoples house outside of boston. I was King Neptune standing by them clams. then got back from that and did three costume changes for a halloween party in my building.
Sunday I dressed as the "zombie boy" from lady gagas Born this way video @ a bar/restaurant DOWNCITY in Providence (it was on Kitchen Nightmares). i won third place which is a $50 gift card to the restaurant.
Monday i was in my stuffed animal suit with my friend Katie in the NYC Halloween Parade. the largest pedestrian parade in north america. We marched and posed for pictures....the costume didnt get much attention, so we did a costume change later when she wore the pants, and people LOVED her.....it made me happy...next year we are gonna make her get ALL the attention.
I've been planning on moving to NYC when my lease is up in Providence. Last night Jon and I broke up. I have a lot of goals in my mind, and usually I dont set DATES for. Although they do get done but this one week at a time will be fun. In this next week i would like to record at LEAST one more song. ive been doing recordings for a while....and i would like to get better at music, so i need to work...although when it comes down to it i will have to find someone to sing for me, i am just no good.

CARRIE

Last week........ a snow storm caused some serious damage around the state. We were lucky and only lost power for two days. We trick or treated with my friend and her four kids at an old folks home, but they horded the candy!!!! So we went on the green with another family we love. Too much snow, so we opened the van up and drove down the green. Lame but fun!! Carved pumpkins, made a gingerbread haunted house and had two days of school parties.

This week.......I'm freaking out!!!!! We're supposed to close on the house tomorrow. Still trying to get home owners insurance. Because of the storm, the insurance agencies have been closed. No joke, going on 10 days without power. I have been left out of the process because Dad, Uncle Jim and the mortgage broker wanted to make things easy for me. Now I'm clueless. And frustrated. My goal is to bake something tasty and go for a run. Or speed walk. It clears my head. My babies are keeping me grounded and that keeps my eye on the prize.

On another happy note...... Sean is taking me to NYC for my birthday weekend!!! Staying at the Trump Soho. So, as things stay crazy I have something to look forward to. :-) I'm a lucky girl. Just have to keep reminding myself I'm strong and can take everything that's thrown my way.

And that's a wrap for our inaugural week of "Updates". Can't wait to hear from you all on Sunday!